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First Year Experience

All incoming TRiO students take a First Year Experience course during their first semester – designed specifically for TRiO students, taught by TRiO staff, and built into your program services from day one. It’s offered as both an in-person and a fully online section. FYEP covers the things first-year students actually need but rarely get taught directly:

• Time management and goal setting
• Study strategies and test-taking anxiety
• Financial literacy – FAFSA, TAP, credit, and budgeting
• Health and wellness
• Navigating campus offices and resources before you need them in a crisis
• Exploring careers and planning ahead academically.

You'll also get guest visits from offices across campus and hands-on activities that connect you with real people and resources early, not just a syllabus. Grading is built around showing up, doing the work, and being honest — not around getting every answer right, and nothing graded requires you to share personal or financial details you're not comfortable sharing.